There are some fantastic players at the club, so when I got the chance I came on and worked hard. You will probably see the best of me next season

Charlie Austin

The substitute’s goals, which came in the final 16 minutes, said: “It has been a frustrating time for me, but what can I do?

“There are some fantastic players at the club, so when I got the chance I came on and worked hard. You will probably see the best of me next season.

“In a few games I have been below par but this is my first season in the Championship, so hopefully I can push on.

“I love poachers’ goals. I am never going to score from 25 yards, but anywhere inside the 18-yard I would back myself.

“I have scored a couple of braces before, but I thought that I would never get the hat-trick, so I am delighted.

“It was a special day as I used to play locally. A few people came along from Poole to come watch me, so it was nice to get on to the pitch and put in a performance.”

Pompey dominated most of the first half, with David Norris cancelling out Kieran Trippier’s early strike for the Clarets.

But after conceding a sloppy second goal to Danny Ings’ glancing header, Pompey fell apart.

Pompey are five points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday’s showdown at rivals Southampton.

Boss Michael Appleton said: “The pressure of how big this game was really affected the players, but I cannot think of a better time to put it right than against Southampton.

“There was a lot of expectancy, but now the expectancy levels have been dramatically lowered, so maybe that might help us.”

Burnley boss Eddie Howe, who had a brief playing career at Fratton Park, said: “It is a really sad situation at Portsmouth, and one I would obviously prefer not to see. It is a great club and the supporters are magnificent. It is them I feel for really.”